How I Improved Our Lambing System in 2019 (ACCELERATED LAMBING): Vlog 168

[@bjarkisigursson9675]

I like your videos that show how your sheep farming works. It is a lot different than we do in Iceland. We breed ones every year. We live in north Iceland and we dont breed until late in desember and it starts often about 20 desember, but farmers who lives in south starts earlier in first days of desember. Every year we have 140 juniors ewe , 620 adult ewe and about 30-35 rams. The juniors have about 1-1,5 lamb per ewe. And adult ewe are about 2,0 per ewe, but the avarge in Iceland is 0,8 by juniors and 1,84 per adult ewe. We do a lot same like you in farming, we shear twice a year, november and mars. We scan the ewe in mars and about 10-14 every years is empty in adult group. In may lambing session starts. Like you do, we let the ewe be alone with there lambs in first 24 ours then they go 4-6 together in groups then 8-12 together and then 10-12 days after birth we let them out to the fields with there lambs if the weather is ok and the fields not all full of snow. In end of june we release them to our highlands and they stay there the hole summer and then we herd them and gather together on horses in september. In september and oktober we slaughter. And then next season starts with sheep shearing in november and breeding in desember.

[@Bluenoser613]

Here's what I do: I watch your vlog intently and take joy in seeing you succeed.

[@louann4992]

Yes me too, but a few other things.

[@gabbiefertello3358]

Yess I love your videos. My name is Gabrielle Fertello I am 13, Your videos have made me realize that I want to be a commercial sheep farmer, I have done 4-H for two years now and I have learned that I love sheep and livestock as a whole when I am a sheep farmer, I hope to be as organized as you. I have gotten 2 out of 3, of my lambs from a commercial farmer like you, I get to go and help lamb in February there and I am so excited. Keep up the good work sandi, love watching ya.❤️🐑

[@lynxacres1293]

Gabbie Fertello gabbie you should also watch Greg Judy for a good look at a different method of sheep (and cattle) farming. I have been finding both his methods and Sandi’s provide valuable information. And I really enjoy both 🙂

[@SandiBrock]

So awesome Gabbie!! That is great you are going to go help lamb... that is where you'll gain so much hands-on knowledge!! Good for you!!!

[@muhammadsaputra5010]

zorbmw

[@desivlog6566]

Good

[@sarahwarwick1166]

I never realised how complicated it is. Props to you for being so organised

[@SandiBrock]

Thanks Sarah!

[@ANB433]

Sandi Brock when you say: I just ship them. Where do you ship them? I’m just curious to know.

[@louann4992]

Ahh ❗she is good.

[@wellingtoncoelho2491]

@@ANB433 they go market for sale.

[@Iris377]

Would also be interesting to see how many lambs you end up bringing to market. Love your videos Sandi, keep up the great work!

[@SandiBrock]

Oh! I should do that at the end of the year!

[@jimmyjohnstone7258]

I am an office worker but help at a friend’s sheep farm here in Scotland. I love my two week ‘holiday’ each lateMarch. Scottish Blackface sheep live ‘wild’ on the hills all year until late January when the pregnant ewes are brough to fields near the farm house. At lambing time most give birth outside, but there is a shed for the weak ones. Most do fine outside unless it is very wet/cold. It is hard work and brings low profit, but the lifestyle is what my friends moved out of the engineering/catering jobs each had when first married. They have brought up 2 kids,and now have downsized to a small smaller herd as they plan retirement. You have a great channel here, keep going. I wish I could visit you at lambing time, a nonpaid working holiday. Just feed me !! I need lots of cake.

[@SandiBrock]

That's awesome Jimmy!! LOL. I'd have to pay you as I'm a terrible cook. hahaha

[@MrsArmaketon]

@@SandiBrock I would love to come! and I can cook! :D

[@joshuapatrick2009]

Not gonna wait the whole video to finish before I give you guys a thumbs up ...... Love you Sandi Brock

[@SandiBrock]

Awe, thanks so much Joshua!

[@MillaRaeDeshibeau]

This is such an informative and awesome system you run!!! I hope your last lambing group will be a success!!🙏🏽🤗❤️

[@SandiBrock]

Thanks so much!

[@MillaRaeDeshibeau]

Sandi Brock you’re very welcome!! Keep up the great work!!🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@witchyhobbit]

I'm thinking about getting into sheep on a small scale as a side hobby since I thoroughly enjoyed having my little lamb for almost a year and wanted more and more. I thrive on your nutrition system and crop videos because that's what is super important and watching how you do data is staggering. I'm not organized so I can't imagine the stress that causes but the relief you get when you see everything laid out infront of you. Thank you for making informed videos with the worst parts and the best parts. Thank you for being honest with us. If it was always smiles and always good, then everyone would be doing it. Thank you for teaching me that this isn't easy and I'll probably get it wrong so many times before something works out. A lot of us need to hear that kind of thing. You're a true superwoman!

[@SandiBrock]

Oh Amanda! Thank you so much. I try hard to not glamourize this job. It can be so hard... I guess I just want people to see the process, and progress and that results take time (especially if you have no previous experience).

[@toddsheffield4271]

I don't even have sheep and have learned a lot. Sandi your name should be Professor Sandi. I love the way you teach people, no big secrets you just throw it out there. For what you have done and what you have built up, people need to remember that. When I was an apprentice at blade smithing my mentor never kept anything from me...i have to respect that.

[@SandiBrock]

Thanks so much Todd!

[@teriterrytarryttt537]

Absolutely fascinating Sandi. I really get a sense of the big picture when you review the entire program like this. Thank you (and your family!) for all the hard work and for your time and effort in putting together this video. Cheers! :-)

[@SandiBrock]

Thanks so much for watching!!

[@johnpiper82]

What an outstanding presentation! You are now a teacher with data to back it up! Keep up the great work,

[@SandiBrock]

LOL... well school of hard knocks... but THANKS!!!

[@apex-td5th]

86% seems like a home run. Well done.

[@SandiBrock]

I agree! Very happy!

[@patschloss3342]

We’re trying to do 3 lambings a year so they lamb 3 times in two years. This way we only have two groups. The spring breeding for fall lambing is the hardest. We’re using polypays, which I think are a lot like your rideaus

[@flock_ness]

I find your videos so useful to me. I have sheep for fibre, not for meat, but the hard line decisions you make on breeding and critical eye on problems (lumps in the udder etc) has helped me make this years decisions on who to breed. For instance, I was asked to take on a ewe to live out her days. She had been bred twice by her previous owner/breeder. First time she did not take. Second time she has stillborn lambs. Originally I was going to breed her this year, but since finding your channel I find I am more critical over my own sheep. I may not be breeding for meat, but I dont want to have to put in a lot of extra work and possibly money on one specific ewe for what has a high chance of getting no gain. I have Fibromyalgia which can make things very difficult so I have to take that into consideration. With this in mind, I wondered if you would breed this ewe of she were in your flock? She is a cracking specimen of her breed, but one fail to take, then the next year stillborn lambs... is she one you would ship or try again with? She is only 3.5 years old. I wouldn't ship her, she would just go out on the hill to be a grazer and fleece only rather than be in the breeding stock.

[@SandiBrock]

Honestly, she may be worth a shot in YOUR system. You really don't know what happened to cause the stillborns. That could have been management, health, or just bad luck. You really have nothing invested in her yet to try. At 3.5 years old, she may have lots of lambs to give you. If it was me, I'd give it a go. Keep me posted!!

[@tm2bee]

I'd love to know what has happened with your sheep!

[@flock_ness]

@tm2bee we decided to give it a go breeding her, and she has had lambs every year with us! This year was her last year. She has given us some cracking lambs. One of her male lambs we kept entire and he has gone off to another home to be a breeding ram. All her lambs have had wonderful temperaments and all have been quality lambs. She has done us proud and this year became a grandmother too 💖

[@Wingedheart8448]

Hey Sandi! So I was wondering how do you choose your replacement ewes? how long do they take to have their first breeding chance? and do you choose any replacement Rams for your flock from your lambs as well? Thanks!

[@SandiBrock]

Great questions! My earliest bred ewe lambs are around 10 months of age. I do not keep any rams back for replacements... I like to bring in new rams to keep the genetics clean.

[@megandonaldson4964]

Sandi, thank you so much for all the information you have put out for free for us! I have laughed with you, and cried with you, and been introduced into a whole new amazing world. You are an incredible person and have inspired me so much! Thank you for all your hard work and sharing your life with us!

[@SandiBrock]

Awe! thanks Megan! So so much!

[@LilMisFitToo]

Another great video - really interesting. Not a sheep farmer, never will be but watching your videos is really cool and interesting. I always learn something new. Thanks for sharing! Can’t wait to see the next group of babies. Love the birthing videos - birth is so amazing! Life is amazing! God bless! 😁🐑❣️

[@marygoat8651]

I love to watch your videos, especially the sheep. Down here in Florida I think raising sheep would be hard and maybe even cruel to the animals. Beyond that I am 70 years old and arthritic, so I will just enjoy watching you.

[@flock_ness]

We are in North East Scotland and lamb annually. We have the Dorsets lambing in January and the mixed breeds in March to May. One thing I noticed, over here no Shearer will shear a ewe when pregnant. It is said to be detrimental to the lambs. Having seen how much work, research, time, effort, money etc to getting the best results and seeing that you routinely shear not long before lambing makes me think it cant be detrimental or you would have picked it up and changed things! This is why I love learning about farming practices in other countries where things are done differently!

[@SandiBrock]

Totally! I learn so much from others also! And now, with this channel, talking to people around the world has been mind-blowing!

[@Nyquil5]

I'm quite glad I am a human and not a sheep. I don't think I would like just six weeks off before going for another child! I work with equines, but watching your videos is very informative and also relaxing (most of the time). You are a very hard worker and deserve every success you have.

[@gaetesmcgloughlin8418]

Do you send ewes that reject babies off to market too? Because that would be very frustrating to experience after so much time effort and money put into it.

[@thesheriff39]

from the economical side of it, do you think you have increased your equity (since you started till now) ? or is it a hobby that kinda balances up the pleasure you get from it, to the costs of it ? Awsome content anyway... luv your dedication and precision... ocd a bit maybe :) Best of luck always...

[@lynxacres1293]

Thanks for the video Sandi, I really enjoyed watching it and always look forward to seeing yours.

[@SandiBrock]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@salmonhunter7414]

Thanks for explaining step by step. You are one organised farm woman . Sheep /cash crop, wife and mother. You should very proud of your self.

[@SandiBrock]

Thanks so much!

[@kianaone2610]

Have you ever had a ewe misscarry after she was confirmed to be pregnant?

[@SandiBrock]

Oh yes. We get these for sure.

[@mrdan544]

When you were examining the utters & you found the lumps. Did you think they were cancerous? Great video thanks for explaining the process. Was that a special laptop or machine that you were using to keep track of the sheep ?

[@peterfitzpatrick7032]

What do I do ?? Well... I could tell ya ... but then I'd hafta kill ya 🙄😂😂😂 Sandi ... Great detailed vlog & I'm impressed with your transparency re. your operation. Your success is deserved & doesn't surprise me , given the logical way you go about things & the total commitment by you.. Thanks for taking the not-insignificant amount of time to put these vids up, I, like so many others, really do appreciate your efforts ... 😎👍☘🍺

[@beckylitster29]

Sandi Brock , I am so glad I stumbled on to your channel I live watching all the sheep , babies I live in Utah . Thanks for sharing your life

[@SandiBrock]

So great! Thanks for watching Becky!!!

[@sarab2324]

Becky Litster I’m in Utah too! (:

[@jeanbeanie5785]

You put so much work into this. I admire your dedication to your sheep and your lambs

[@SandiBrock]

I hope they help!

[@grod0051]

How often do you breed a ewe if she's a great mom before you cull her?

[@tinycalflover]

For me, I breed until they can't anymore, so until they are either too old for it to be safe or until there are problems with the udder, teeth, lambing issues ect. I have had ewes breed only once or twice who then have issues or have bred for years and years. I had a ewe reach 10 years old, she's had 9 sets of lambs. I have another in the flock who will be having at least her 8th lot this year. I bought her in so not sure on exact age but this will be her 6th year with me.

[@hamdouneh]

You’re doing great, Love you Sandi Brock

[@SandiBrock]

Thanks so much!

[@teagannichols3097]

We breed annually. Only due to logistics so it doesn’t cross over with the grain operation. Breeding for the stud merino is in Nov/Dec for 6 weeks around 500 ewes. The commercial cross breeds in Jan for 6 weeks around 800 ewes and the ewe lambs in Feb/March for 6 weeks around 200 ewes. It does mean little sleep for 3 months of lambing but it works for us.

[@SandiBrock]

That sounds like a great system! Very similar in theory to how I have to plan mine. Around the grain operation...

[@julieenslow5915]

Thank you, that was a quick, informative and fascinating explanation.

[@tinycalflover]

I am in the UK. I breed once a year to lamb in March. This year I have used CIDRs for the first time thanks to your videos and have a teeny group of 7 due on the 11th of February. The other 21 are all natural bred and due 15th of March to 5th of April. Tempted to use more CIDRs next year if I have enough ram power! 🤣

[@GraemeMcKeague]

We're based in Ireland, we put about 550 ewes to the ram every year. (Rams are going out on Friday!) We are mainly grass based, but the ewes are housed from December until lambing in march. They are fed a grass silage based ration in the shed on slats. But come to the home farm to lamb on straw bed 1 week before lambing. We would have 95% lambed 6 weeks after lambing starts. The ewes and lambs are out to grass within 2-3 days weather permitting

[@bigthex2761]

When you sell a lamb do you remove the ID tag and reuse them? How much does one ID tag cost? Happy Farming!

[@AmberAddiction]

It's been two years since this has been posted but I'm assuming she does not reuse the ID tag for any other sheep, as it has all of the information pertaining to the original animal still associated with the tag.

[@iwantosavemoney]

Am still looking at Accelerated breeding but from what I have researched it is lambing 2 times a year. Really taking advantage of the 6 month down time and making it more profitable.

[@JenkinsB]

My small mixed flock of 15 nannies and 15 ewes get bread at the same time each fall, usually around end of September. They all lamb/kid with in 2-2.5 weeks of each other. I leave the ram/billy in until a 2-3 weeks before their due. I vaccinate expecting moms with Covexin-8 at 4-6 weeks prior to due date. I take the goats to the barn when they're due so they have shelter and pens for kidding, they'll walk off and leave babies occasionally. The ewes get left in pasture for lambing, they're freakin champions in all weather conditions, only had to pull a couple lambs in 5-6 years. My ewes are all coming up on 6 years of age as a group so I'll sell them off next year and get a fresh set of yearlings. Oh, I'm in southwest VA, USA

[@SandiBrock]

Awesome Ben! Thanks for sharing!!

[@kristarepp2607]

It’s always so interesting watching your lamb videos. I of course love the baby lambs, cause who doesn’t?! Have you considered having them on same size pens out on some green grass? I don’t know much about lamb farming but I’m curious if it would bring down the cost of feed while giving them some grass to munch on. I guess on the other hand that it might increase operating costs since you are set up in the barn for your different tasks. Anyways, thanks putting out the content.

[@clairehaney502]

The whole area around the brightspan barn she uses is cropland, and idk if she tried in the past or learned from her neighbors, but the area is riddled with coyotes. I'd love to see the lambs on grass two, but not if it means they might get killed by a predator

[@SandiBrock]

Thanks Krista! This continues to be my most asked question. We are a grain operation, with a sheep barn built on it... So to take more land out of crop production, completely changes what we can cost flow on the grain side... All our debt is supported by so many acres of cropland... so thats the boring business reason. The other is I am just not educated on that side of sheep farming yet. It is a science to put animals out on grass. It doesn't look like it, but I assure you, for proper management on grass takes time and education before doing. Grass stages, rotational grazing, grass species, fencing, working dogs, and parasites are just the first things I don't know anything about. The last reason is predators. We are surrounded by woodlot, and have a heavy coyote population. So not comfortable with that. I hope this explanation helps!

[@kristarepp2607]

Sandi Brock thanks! That’s very informative and makes a lot of sense.

[@campbellroweth9491]

Central table lands, NSW, Australia Most of the other farmers lamb annual any were from April- September but we are on a system similar to u we have 3 mobs and each mob lambs 3 times in two years Merino x boarder Leicester ewes with a Poll Dorset sired lambs Scan at 85-95% pregnant And at 145-165% foetuses of ewes in lamb Lambed out side and stay out side all year round. If ewes have problems at lambing or lambs haven’t fed they get brought back to the shed and put in small pens and then let back out 2500 ewe operation

[@SandiBrock]

WOW!!! I love this!!

[@campbellroweth9491]

Thanks if there’s anything’s else you would like to know let me know

[@mavriksbt]

Campbell do you think there could be a place for this type of lambing in Australia? I’ve been watching Sandi with interest and am curious as to whether this type of agriculture would be viable for us. The crippling drought and animals being on dry barren land have damaged so much of the environment, could this be the way if the future???

[@campbellroweth9491]

Yes definitely with so much variation in the whether we looking at putting a barn in as our winters are unpredictable as it can kill a fair few lambs in one night and foxes don’t help either one night last year we lost 45 lambs due to weather We would only lamb our twins and triplets in it as the singles do fine in the weather and the let out side when they are a few days old But I think over it would be only economical if u produced you own feed as it would be like running a feed lot same cost in feed but only getting half the returns as u have to feed the ewes as well if u kept them in 24/7

[@aligentry4366]

This was so informative and interesting. Can you imagine not having computers and having to keep track of all the info you record by hand?

[@mickeypadgett7078]

You said you let ewes go through 2 breeding cycles before determining their fate. Is one of those a natural cycle. Or are you satisfied with two artificial cycles with the ciders?

[@LetsTalkGoats]

Do you ever give them anything at your breed scan if not breed

[@kymreid2847]

Love the intro 😍 It's so cute

[@SandiBrock]

Thanks Kym!

[@larryshedd5734]

Lots of hard work. Very busy lady

[@SandiBrock]

It can be for sure! Thanks Larry!

[@richardvernick4280]

Sandi Thank You very much for walking us pilgrims through how sheep farming works.

[@candicechristensen1753]

Good information! Fun video. I have three ewes this year so they had all better be pregnant this year. I'm in Idaho and I'll be putting the Rams in with the ewes in about a week or so. Wish me luck 👍

[@SandiBrock]

TIming is good! You should do great!!

[@paulfairbrass4424]

Because of the climate in Ireland we lamb annually. We started tupping or breeding as you say last week and it's all natural. Ive got a young ram which i use for teasing 😆, sounds bad but it helps a little. Were lucky in our area were the grass is good but we still have to use nutrients prior and during breeding. As yourself the ewes are immunized 2 weeks before breeding and i normally wait 70 days for the scan.

[@SandiBrock]

Awesome! thanks for sharing!

[@mavriksbt]

Paul do you think there is a place in Ireland for “high density “ sheep farming? Or are there fewer predators etc?

[@paulfairbrass4424]

@@mavriksbt the thing with Ireland it's a small country and there are quite a lot of sheep farmers. A lot comes down to the market and the price per kilo for sheep, new Zealand produces a huge amount of lamb much cheaper than we can so intensive farming may be an option but you would loose out on nearly pure grass fed sheep. In winter hay and hayledge, sheep nuts ect but keeping them on grass is cheaper and there's a better quality of meat. Natural preditors only around lambing, foxes maybe badgers at night for the really young Lamb's and hooded crows, they try to peck at them during birth. That's why we try and get them into a lambing shed for a couple of days, after that it's not to bad.

[@jillstearns1452]

Very informative. Thank you Sandi for sharing this detailed information. A lot of work for sure and you do a great job.

[@jasonstroh5531]

I'm 28 years old and I lamb about 500 head of ewes in ND, USA. my ewes lamb starting January 1 and continue until April 15. I keep my rams in for 3 weeks then pull for 2 week and then back in for 3 weeks and then pull for 2 weeks and then keep them in the rest of the breeding cycle. We use the breeding harnesses and a different colored chalk for each breeding group so I know which sheep bred when. That way I can save space in the lambing barn and not have them all sheared at one time. In 2020 I plan on trying to lamb each ewe 3 times in 2 years. I'm hoping that works well!!

[@SandiBrock]

Sounds like an amazing system! Thanks for sharing it!!

[@clint4472]

Jason, are you or will you be documenting your journey? Would be fun to tag along with you...

[@jasonstroh5531]

@@clint4472 I'm currently not, but in the future I plan on trying it out!

[@TheGlendad2000]

I have so enjoyed watching your videos on the new babies entering your flock. I watch more about your operation then I do on regular tv! Thank you for sharing I am from South Central Oklahoma and I used to work at a pig farm and I got to work with the pigglets!

[@jamesfl1968]

That's a lot of work to do what you do, my hat is off too you. Best to you and your family.

[@maheshpothuraju9206]

Make a session on equipment you use in sheep fam and agriculture fields

[@donnalannan2978]

Very informative video. Lots of hard work and application of technology. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[@SandiBrock]

Thanks Donna!

[@garylaframboise4142]

Dang woman do you ever have time to sleep?. What a great video... When you say ship. To where?...

[@SandiBrock]

The auction barn... and thanks!

[@fionajane56]

I love to find out the how and why of breeding stock. This was awesome.

[@tonyburelle6633]

Very interesting, quite involved, cool seeing all the processes, thanks for sharing, and explaining

[@SandiBrock]

Thanks for watching!

[@twodraftmom]

I only breed 25ish ewes, naturally in November. Katahdin crosses. Love watching your videos, thanks for for sharing!

[@جزارمصر-غ8ه]

U know what.... I hope one day visit ur beautiful form 😅😅 From egypt i'm telling u

[@alohaerickson]

I watch you lamb.. :) Thanks for the complete overview. Very educational.

[@SandiBrock]

Thanks for watching!

[@jennywrenslife]

I've learnt so much from your videos, thank you for sharing. I hope to get my own small flock next year. 🤞

[@millielach545]

I don’t know why but I call the littlest lambs potato’s

[@SandiBrock]

Funny!

[@LetsTalkGoats]

We run goats in Michigan and get lots of great information from you.

[@zowiehood2679]

It’s kinda cool to think that every lamb born in a group is related

[@paulfairbrass4424]

Hopefully not too closely related

[@valeriejewell5136]

Half-siblings

[@Benelli-ex7oq]

Hi Sandi great video have a nice weekend don't work to hard just get it done lol🤣🤣🤣

[@SandiBrock]

LOL! thanks Tony!

[@adambrown4484]

When you say shipped do you mean to butcher or other farmers for wool use

[@SandiBrock]

I ship them to the auction barn where they usually get bought for processing.

[@danielleparsons8187]

Great video Sandi so much information. When you talked about placing the ewes with rams you rotate so dads/sons and daughters dont mix. Maybe a video on how you keep that all in check. How do you prevent inter breeding on ewe you have had awhile, or do you ship after a certain time.thanks still trying to get out to the farm to meet you!

[@decf2106]

great video. great results from that amount of ewes. would lovevto see the auction house process and the lambs being sold.

[@SandiBrock]

Thanks!!

[@bobmiller9018]

your videos and marks have become my first go to videos. their just great to watch.

[@SandiBrock]

Thanks Bob!

[@mikebonge7206]

Thanks. I am way to old. One thing when lambs step on you is does hurt. You getting really professional. Great job.

[@gabbiesmeemee]

Hi Sandy, my name is Deb. I just come cross your channel a couple days ago and have become addicted. Sheep are one of my favorite animals and when I saw your channel being all about sheep I couldn't resist. Talk about organization wow you have such a system there there is no way in God's green Earth I could ever come close to matching. How-do-you-do it lol. I bet it's a very hard job but also very rewarding getting to watch those gorgeous little babies come into the world. The only part I don't like is them going to freezer camp. I have never ate lamb before to me that would be like eating Bambi lol . I don't put any body down that doesn't joy it is just not for me. If we get is raise them for the rest of their life that would be good if they all have the ability to serve a long term purpose on the farm and I mean long term as in till death do them part. But then you can't make money and as I have seen in your videos how expensive it is to have a sheep sheared keeping them for just that purpose alone would never make you the money you needed in order to even feed them. Thank you for posting these wonderful videos they are very informative and just about every emotion you can have good possibly pop out at any moment lol. I have laughed I have cried I've been mad I've been happy I've been sad while watching videos about these sheep. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard as when the one little Lamb had the black bucket on his head. Did you set that up or did you walk in on that? Either way it was adorable. Thanks again Sandy take care and God-bless Deb

[@SandiBrock]

Awe! Thanks so much! and no... I never have to set up anything with sheep... They are their own source of entertainment! I just have to make sure I have a camera on me at all times! LOL

[@TheRealSuperK]

I am retired and have a started a small 7 animal Hobby flock in Hawaii here on the Big Island, with a single ram, 4 ewes of breeding age, two lambs ready for sale. All natural breeding, no scannings done but believe all 4 ewes are pregnant this go (due late Aug 2022). We are trying to get an accelerated breeding program set up and going for our farm and I am loving this break down with timings by weeks and events. All lambs born to these F1 ewes will either be 'shipped' for meat processing for our farm or offered up for live sale though there are no livestock auctions that I have found on island as yet. Thanks for the great info.

[@kennyd6543]

We run annually starting in November. By mid-April, the real fun begins!

[@SandiBrock]

HAHAH! no kidding!!

[@brettsimpson651]

Quick question is it 8 weeks from the first or last lambs born for weaning? An the lumps are more than likely OPP it is Ovine Progressive Pneumonia an it is passable to lambs through colostrum or milk, mainly causes economic losses through low weaning weights, or secondary infections that show later in life. Thanks for the video it helped me finalize my Accelerated plan!!!!! An your numbers are fantastic keep up your hard work your doing awesome!!!!

[@SandiBrock]

8 weeks is average... easier to judge this if the group as synchronized for sure... So I will take an average of the group... if the group is spread out, I may do something like 9 weeks for the earlier born and 7 weeks for the younger...

[@Kareefontein]

I am considering changing from lambing outside to lambing more in a controlled environment. Our ewes lamb in the fields and twins lamb on green pasture if we have. Once a year for us because we don’t have fields for lambing ewes multiple times a year without damaging growth to the natural grass. Shearing every 8 months on Merinos. We are in a dry area and get results that vary between 80-95% weaning. We are at 91%laming currently, it’s been very tough out here this year though. Lots of ewes that don’t take their lambs due to the drought and it makes our lives much more complicated. We lamb about 2000 at one time and have been working on getting our duration of lambing shorter. Selection is key and so is nutrition. In a system like yours I would be not allow skips🥺sadly they prolong your aim for a more fertile flock considerably. - forgive me for being forward, we haven’t even met. I greatly respect the way that you run your operation and will use a lot of the things on your channel when our future intensive lambing leg will realize. Kind regards from southern Freestate rsa

[@SandiBrock]

I agree! More and more, i wonder if I'm doing myself a diservice keeping the skips for a second chance... I totally get it!

[@cd6909]

My family have bred merino sheep for wool for many years in western Queensland, Australia. Though for more than 5 years now many sheep stations have had low or no stock due to extreme drought. Lambing happens only once per year, as does shearing. Rams are joined in paddocks and lambing percentages are only known when herds are mustered for lamb marking. So sheep give birth unassisted! In this part of the world, multiple births are unusual due to pasture conditions. For this reason, lambing rates wouldn’t reach 100%. Though in southern Australia, where pastures are better and sheep are farmed more intensively, lambing rates would no doubt be over 150%. It is rare for graziers to supplement the feed. They would rely on pasture feeding and only feed during the drought. It is very expensive and many people cannot afford it, so herds are often sold. In a good season, on an average sized property (around 20 000 acres), graziers will run about 6000 sheep. So interesting to see sheep breeding done in this way. Thanks for sharing!

[@SandiBrock]

I love hearing about these systems in Australia!! Thank you so much for sharing!!

[@S_Eglington]

UK system is usually pregnant 5 months lactation 4 months recovery 3 months with seasonal breeding from August to December to lamb January to May. A lot of farms will have 2 lambing groups early and late to target the higher prices at either end of the season.

[@timjones1583]

We only lamb seasonally. Turn rams in last week of november. Typically rams are kept separate. We dont give any feed. We pasture and move sheep everyday following cattle. We're in Missouri.

[@richarddemoss5568]

Well at last your hard work is paying off wonderful job an keep it going

[@SandiBrock]

Thanks Richard!

[@rubenmaguire8250]

We farm outside Bethlehem in the Free State, South Africa. We try lamb every 8 months with natural breeding. Our hear is a mixed breed but moving over to a pure Dohne Merino breed. To try sheer more wool from our heard with a good meat production and a higher fertility rate. Hope your harvest season went well. We are still harvesting Soybeans, Sorghum and Corn in Colby Kansas. Working in America on a H2A and hope to see your system in person one day. Have a good day and thanks for showing people how a good sheep farm is ran.

[@SandiBrock]

Thanks Ruben!! Sounds like a great system!!

[@5203mhr]

Hi I am in bc and want to start sheep farming I am at the stage where I am trying to make a budget and business plan to see if it’s still a good idea to get started I will appreciate if you can make a video to illustrate the present day realistic cost break down for everything including cost of ewes, rams, feed, vaccines and other feed cost All I have datas is very old like 10 yrs which is not realistic in 2022 Thanks in advance

[@h.e.phillips4002]

Wonderful job explaining your complete management program.

[@SandiBrock]

Thanks!

[@michelleanemily]

It would be wonderful if you could follow the life of a sheep including everything hoof tripping breeeding shearing scanning pregnancy and then birth.... possible following a ew that is recognizable like goetb popcorn ect.

[@anasnasiri7900]

TOOP

[@wideeyedpossum]

I know this is a late comment but I've only been following you for a little while I went all the way to where you started I think your amazing and your sheep and lambs are to cute your name are clean everything you do is clean there is just one thing your Gallagher screen pls write it haha sorry but I see everything else you do and your super clean is just that screen I kind of have sought of a little ocd which isn't your concern but the screen lol your amazing it's great to see women in agriculture live stock and fields (planting and cutting etc) you go girl is amazing and I've left it until now to send you my condolences on regards to Amy truck truths were fun to watch so I'm ever so sorry I lost my best friend 2 years ago so I know what is like to not have them there anymore waiting for those texts and calls at anytime you still keep waiting and crying and I still struggle with that but I'm thinking of you going through that the hope doesn't go away we just learn to cope better over time and you still have that forever you just copied better so I am sorry for your your loss once again and condolences to Amy's family and other friends also I live in Australia I just love your vlogs you say your not an expert but you are very knowledgeable with everything and the things you do to help the little babies legs is amazing which I seem works for most except the little one with the bent bones and you tried everything but that was out of your control you have it your best shot but she wasn't meant to be and that isn't your fault Cheers

[@johnkiser2658]

Do you ship open/problem ewes immediately after sorting or are they marketed at specific times? Maybe sorting day also coincides with market days? Just wondering if they’re held to add weight or moved out immediately to make room as groups are moved around. Great video btw. Very informative!

[@SandiBrock]

I usually sort close to the time I am shipping some lambs... I knew this particular week I would only have a part load, so it worked well.

[@barbarawilder2956]

My only sheep "work" was owning two Shelties who are Shethand Sheepdogs.

[@winstoncreek2716]

Hello. Have a question! How do the lambs you pull off the moms get the vaccine bust your talking about?

[@CharlesJulius-h8m]

I really enjoyed and got a lot out of your video. I was wondering how you heated your hoop building? Thanks

[@yousfbbsrghin6712]

مرحبا تابعي انة من متتبعينك الاوفياء

[@aministratorgeneral.9298]

How do you decide which ones go to market, do you just say ewe, and ewe, and ewe, when your in the pen,...

[@SandiBrock]

I think I explained it in this video, but basically an unproductive ewe. If she misses 2 breeding chances, any udder issues, or any weaning issues.

[@aministratorgeneral.9298]

@@SandiBrock ah i see ,great video very interesting,,What time is it now where you are ,,Thank you...

[@malikgoatfarm1617]

Good work Respected Sis .. thanks for your informative video

[@SandiBrock]

Thanks!

[@theravenmuse7226]

Your dog is trying so hard to be helpful 😂

[@dominique8233]

Hi Sandi, why don't you put the expectant mum's in the claiming pens before they lamb so there aren't problems with separating lambs and other mothers?

[@SandiBrock]

Great question... I will if I know for sure she will lamb within a few hours and I think she may have problems... but to set them all up requires too much space. And I don't have a great way to feed them in their claiming pens.

[@bonniegrandstaff5500]

Have you ever tried switching the way your breeding a ewe. like if you use ceader on a ewe and she dont get pregnant so you try breed her naturally and see if that gets her pregnant or do you keep her on ceader for the second time and try again with the ceader I dont know if I am spelling that right sorry lol

[@jodyrobinson-wildey2186]

Good video 😊 We need to change our girls diet at weaning, thanks for the tip. We lamb once a year in Spring. Natural matings, our leased ram goes in on 30th March.

[@SandiBrock]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

[@inglis7086]

Well done Sandi that is some really good results - you certainly have learnt from trial and error over the last few years

[@SandiBrock]

Really trying to!

[@inglis7086]

@@SandiBrock you did it and the results show it - pat yourself on the back

[@davidwhite4474]

Knowing this video is 3 yrs old So where do you sell your sheep to. No one I've asked had a answer , or just don't want to give me a answer . Thank you .

[@jenwhalen6662]

Awesome planing and great record keeping. Your part time job keeps you busy too! What are the numbers like for ewes and rams born?

[@SandiBrock]

Good question! Every lambing seems to be a bit different. sometimes more ewes, sometimes more rams...